Leaders in Distance Learning

Professional Diploma in Journalism

Course Synopsis

This diploma course consists of 12 units covering all of the main aspects of Journalism. A journalist is a person who practises journalism, the gathering and dissemination of information about current events, trends, issues and people. Reporters are one type of journalist. They create reports as a profession for broadcast or publication in mass media such as newspapers, television, radio, magazines, documentary film, and the Internet. Reporters find the sources for their work, their reports can be either spoken or written, and they are generally expected to report in the most objective and unbiased way to serve the public good. Depending on the context, the term journalist also includes various types of editors and visual journalists, such as photographers, graphic artists, and page designers. This course provides a complete foundation in the subject area for those wishing to pursue a career in journalism or for those wishing to undertake graduate studies in the field of journalism.

Course Content

Unit 1: Communication: Concepts and Process

Taught in four parts namely concept and process; communication research; language and communication and international communication, this paper takes stock of all the communication related issues needed to understand the complex nature of mass communication and its role in development.

Unit 2: Communication and Development

This unit deals with the whole aspect of developmental issues and the role of communication therein. Divided into two sections:

1. theoretical concepts
2. assigned project work to test and expand your knowledge base

Unit 3: History of Press, Laws and Ethics

Beginning with the early history of the press, the paper deals with laws and ethics that govern and regulate the functioning of various media and media organizations in the country in today's Information Age.

Unit 4: Reporting - Concepts and Process

Reporting being an integral part of mass communication, the unit deals with the subject in four parts:

1. Basics of Reporting
2. Reporting Beats
3. Features and Interviews
4. Opinion Writing

These topics cover all parameters of reporting.

Unit 5: Reporting: Practicals

Designed to give an idea of the reporter's job, the students are expected to do understand reporting and writing assignments covering all beats in addition to write edits, middles, letters to the editors and special articles.

Unit 6: Editing: Concepts and Process

The paper deals with the principles of news gathering and news writing presentation - be it planning or visualisation of news or news flow and copy editing. It also deals with the organisational structures of editorial departments of media organisations. The art of translation is given due consideration in the course.

Unit 7: Editing Practicals

Divided in two parts, the paper deals with the detailed tasks involved with news editing. The unit examines the role and function of editing within journalism

Unit 8: Audio-Visual Production and Cyber Media

Divided in four parts namely:

1. Lay-out, Design and Production
2. Photo Journalism and Graphics
3. Information Technology
4. Cyber Media

The unit extensively deals with the creative as well as technological aspects of print media/production.

Unit 9: Electronic Journalism

From introduction to radio and television to practical exercises in news reading, interviewing, news anchoring for FM as well as television news production, the unit takes care of all that students need to know about the broadcast media.

Unit 10: PR, Advertising and Newspaper Management

The interconnection between public relations, advertising and newspaper management is thoroughly explored and techniques of aggressive marketing to retain subscribers in today's highly competitive business environment are taught to the students to make them understand the complex web of newspaper management advertisement economics.

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